50 Cars That Will Run Smoothly Even After 250,000 Miles, Ranked

Cars have become an almost indispensable part of our everyday lives so most people look for reliability and durability when it comes to buying one. But finding a perfect car that will serve you even after 250,000 miles can be a difficult and daunting task.

Modern technology made cars prettier, comfier, easier to make, and more accessible, but this wasn’t achieved without making some compromises on the quality. This makes newer cars more prone to mechanical issues, and for someone who heavily relies on their car to take them places, this isn’t good news.

Luckily, there are models out there that combine the best of both worlds. They offer you everything to make your ride more pleasant, while also being able to put hundreds of thousands of miles on the dashboard and still run smoothly.

Here is a list of 50 cars that will last you more than 250,000 miles.

Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester is a crossover SUV, manufactured in Japan since 1997. It is widely regarded as the best four-wheel-drive system on the market even today.

The model has been based on Subaru Impreza and has five doors. It can come with a wide range of turbocharged engines, but even the naturally aspirated ones are durable enough to last more than 250,000 miles. As long as this car undergoes regular maintenance, it will serve you for years. The vehicle has been awarded the SUV of the Year and The Car Connection’s Best Car To Buy awards in 2014.

VW Passat

The VW Passat is a large family car manufactured since 1973 and is currently in its eight generation.

Since its first appearance on the market, this car has become one of the most used vehicles in Europe. It is functional, reliable, and its diesel engine has proven to be very durable. If the car is maintained properly, the engine will even outlast everything else. Luckily, this car is very popular so parts are easily acquired. It makes for one of the best cars if you aim to go more than 250,000 miles.

Lexus RX350/450h

Lexus is known for manufacturing mid-size luxury crossover SUVs since 1998. Ever since the first generation rolled out of the factory, the car has become famous for its reliability.

Four generations in and people are still impressed by the design and performance of this vehicle. Lexus RX comes with a turbocharged 2.0L engine or a 3.5L V6 hybrid gasoline engine. Both have gained massive popularity all over the world. The expansion in the US market made it the best-selling luxury SUV since its introduction.

Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V uses the Honda Civic platform with an SUV body design. It is a mid-range utility vehicle that comes packed with useful features. The engine comes in large varieties, including 1.5L, 2.0L, and 2.4L.

Newer generations are also graced with electric motors and a 9-speed ZF automatic gear shift. Most people find this body design not so pleasant to the eyes, but that doesn’t stop Honda CR-V to easily reach six digits on the dashboard. If you do not care much about the car design and want to go all-out on performance and durability, this car is the one.

Lexus ES 350/450

Most Lexus models are of similar design, which makes them unappealing and sometimes boring. The ES series comes with a standardized V6 engine and a front-wheel drive.

It’s definitely not a high-performance car but will negate all of this with its longevity. In the United States alone, the Lexus ES 350/450 models have been the best-selling Lexus sedans over 15 years. The body is very durable and built to withstand big mileage. All you need to do is take good care of it.

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry began its production in 1982 and has spanned multiple generations since then. It was originally designed with a compact, narrow body size, but later models have started to adopt mid-size classification.

The latest versions of the car come with a 6-speed or 8-speed shift and a 2.0L engine. For decades, Toyota Camry has been the go-to car for safe and long-distance travel. Newer versions are just as reliable, making them a perfect car if you want to go beyond 250,000 miles.

Toyota 4Runner

Originally created as a compact SUV, Toyota4Runner quickly evolved to a mid-size SUV. Due to its off-road capabilities and a wide range of engine choices, this vehicle became a top choice for all 4×4 enthusiasts.

The sturdy body chassis and the quality engine design will take all kinds of abuse, as long as you maintain it properly and regularly. In 2019, it ranked No.5 longest-lasting vehicle in the US. Along with getting 4.5 stars on safety regulations, you can sleep well, knowing this car will serve you for years to come.

Lincoln Town Car

For a perfect mix of luxury and durability, choose the Lincoln Town Car. This model has similar specifications as the Crown Vic but offers more exotic and luxurious interior.

The 4.6L V8 has been used in continuity for 13 years and definitely deserves all the praise it can get. Lincoln Town Car was the flagship of Ford Motor Company and by far the most popular choice for politicians and other government officials. New generations don’t replace the Town Car directly, but the name was used to distinguish limousine variants of Lincoln MKT.

Nissan Titan XD

A truck that lives up to its name, Nissan Titan XD is manufactured specifically for the North American market.

It is sturdy, resilient and comes with a good 5.6L V8 petrol engine. Customers also have the option to get the Cummins 5.0L turbodiesel V8. You can’t go wrong with this, as Cummins is known for ruggedness and durability. In fact, there is so much confidence in this truck that America’s Best Truck Warranty gives a limited warranty for five years or 100,000 miles.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Considered an upgrade on Silverado 2500HD, this model comes with a Duramax 6.6L turbodiesel V8 engine. It can endure all sorts of heavy-duty work and is one of the most popular trucks on the market today.

Chevy’s “super-truck” is durable and can be used for transporting, towing, or just cruising around the countryside. There is also a version that comes with Vortec 6.0L petrol V8, which helps cover those miles easier than ever. A quick search on the Internet will reveal that customers are generally happy with this beast, and some have already racked up well over 250,000 miles.

Honda Odyssey

The story of Honda Odyssey is very interesting. It was manufactured in Japan during the economic crisis of the 1990s. This made the government impose several constraints on the vehicle’s size and overall concept, making it one of the smallest minivans on the market.

However, it comes with a 4WD system and a 3.5L engine, which is very wear-resistant. Due to its small size, it wasn’t received well in North America. But if you ignore the somewhat awkward design, this minivan is the perfect ride for your family.

Acura RDX

This is Acura’s first compact luxury crossover SUV built on the same platform as Honda Civic and CR-V.

It is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine, so it can pack a punch if needed. The body is known to be very stress-resistant, meaning it can easily endure more than 250,000 miles. With newer generations, the SUV grew larger in size.According to Acura, all new vehicles are built on their own platform. They still have to be tested thoroughly for longevity, but so far, it looks promising.

Chevrolet Impala

Chevy Impala is one of the most recognizable car models in the North American market. It is very reliable, and longevity is one of its primary concepts.

Most models have already run over 300,000 miles and are still in pristine condition. The standard engine choice is the 2.5L 4-cylinder, which runs smoothly even after years of usage. For people wanting more power, there is an option to get the 3.6L V6 engine with 305 horsepower. The 6-speed automatic transmission will devour those miles easily.

Toyota Corolla

Corolla is one of the first compact cars on the market, introduced back in 1966. Since then, Toyota has sold over 44 million versions across twelve generations. It remains one of the best-selling cars even today. This is due to the extreme resilience of the body design and impeccable engine performance. The car is manufactured for every corner of the world, and there are numerous records of the car reaching well over 250,000 miles. This car outlasts every other sedan, be it a 2.0L, 3.4L, or a 4.4L hybrid engine.

Honda Pilot

Honda introduced its mid-size SUV in 2002 and aimed it primarily to the North American market. It is one of the largest SUVs in the world and features three-row seating.

It is true that luxurious SUVs aren’t always durable, but Honda Pilot is definitely above that. It comes packed with a resilient 3.5L V6 engine and is recorded to have reached incredible mileage. The new full-sized generation of CUVs is yet to prove its worth, but it promises the same reliability as previous models.

Audi Allroad

The Audi Allroad is based on regular Audi station wagon but features a wider track, higher ground clearance, and adjustable air suspension. It is considered to be a semi-offroad version of the base model.

When it comes to engines, users are spoilt with choice. From 1.8L to 4.2L V8, all engine choices are known to be reliable and durable. The car has proven its worth numerous times and it will definitely go the extra mile. This makes it a very popular family vehicle.

Scion xB

Scion xB is a compact, box-shaped, 5-door hatchback made by Toyota specifically for the US market.

It is hard to find someone without an opinion on this car. Some will hate its design; others will praise its performance. But one thing is certain when it comes to the Scion brand: it will last! The engine is not the most powerful you’ll see on the market, but it is sturdy and will serve you for a long time. Most people have easily clocked in over 250,000 miles without any major hiccups.

Nissan Patrol

Similar to the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol is designed with off-road capabilities in mind. The heavy chassis and the durable 4.0L engine are designed to withstand massive beatings on some of the most hostile terrains.

The quality of these SUVs can’t be disputed, and safety was always a top priority for the manufacturer. If you’re looking for something to get you over 250,000 miles, this is the perfect vehicle. Newer generations are a bit more urban, but will still get the job done.

GMC Sierra 2500HD

Another truck with towing and transporting capabilities, similar in design and structure to Chevy and Ford, is the GMC Sierra 2500HD. It may lack the popularity and following base of the two other manufacturers, but will certainly bring the much-needed safety and durability.

Their engines have proven to be very resilient to wear and are known to withstand regular heavy-duty use. New generations come in several cab designs, like the crew cab, double cab, and regular cab.

Mazda 6

If you want a highly functional car with formidable performance and reliability, look no further than Mazda 6. This mid-size car has been in production since 2002 and is the most popular model among consumers.

The newer generations come with a 2.0L gasoline or 2.2L diesel engine, and all have a 6-speed automatic or manual gear shift. This car will have no trouble going long distances, and several models have been used for racecar tracks such as NASCAR and Michelin Pilot Challenge.

Toyota Tacoma

While offering respectable features and a handsome look, Toyota Tacoma isn’t able to parry most of its rivals. The biggest downsides to Tacoma are its questionable fuel consumption and lack of features compared to other pickup trucks in the same price range.

Tacoma usually comes equipped with 2.7-liter four-cylinder, but if you want more power to test its off-road capability, you can also get a 3.5-liter V-6 version. However, no matter which one you chose, you should have a reliable car that will take you places for years to come.

Ford F-250 Super Duty

The name says it all. This truck is a beast, used for all heavy-duty workload. It is based on the Ford F-150, but with a much stronger and bigger chassis and suspension components.

This allows the truck to withstand higher payload and towing capacities. The engine can range from a 4.2L V6 to 7.3L V8 and is able to withstand massive abuse on a daily basis. It comes as no surprise that most of the trucks have over 250,000 on the clock.

Toyota Sequoia

Toyota Sequoia is the largest SUV produced by the Toyota brand. It can survive the most extreme terrain and weather conditions, but will also run well after years of negligence. The 5.7L V8 comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission, so you shouldn’t worry about this vehicle going over 250,000 miles.

Unfortunately, such a big body requires big fuel consumption. While it can easily outlast most of its competition, maintenance becomes way too expensive in the long run.

Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

Considered an upgrade on Silverado 2500HD, this model comes with a Duramax 6.6L turbodiesel V8 engine. It can endure all sorts of heavy-duty work and is one of the most popular trucks on the market today.

Chevy’s “super-truck” is durable and can be used for transporting, towing, or just cruising around the countryside. There is also a version that comes with Vortec 6.0L petrol V8, which helps cover those miles more easily than ever.

Honda Civic

Originally designed as a subcompact car, Honda Civic has gone through several changes to its body size. Newer generations are still fuel-efficient and have passed all of the safety regulations with flying colors.

The sales grew exponentially when people realized Civic is one of the most customizable cars on the market. Whether you are buying a new model or a used one, you can rest assured that you will easily reach the 250,000 mileage. One of the upside to the massive production of this car is the availability and low price of spare parts.

Ford F-150

This truck can definitely be considered as the workhorse of the vehicle world. It comes with a rear-wheel or a four-wheel drive. It is the most used truck on ranches across the US and an all-time favorite for small business owners who need to transport goods from one place to another.

The vehicle went through thirteen generations and several special models, all of which are proven to be reliable and durable. Ford built the series with resilience in mind, so you can easily outlast the 250,000 miles’ threshold.

Chevrolet Equinox

Equinox first started as a mid-size car, but later on, turned into a compact crossover SUV. The chassis has a nice flow, which makes it a very desirable model. The newer versions have three turbo engine choices: the 1.5L with 170 horsepower, 1.6L with 137 horsepower, and the 2.0L with 252 horsepower and a 9-speed transmission.

The engines are designed with durability and fuel-effectiveness in mind. The interior comes with the latest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto feature. Optional display screens can be integrated, as well as additional safety features.

Saab 9000

Saab 9000 was built on the same platform as Fiat Tipo Quattro and represented the company’s foray into the executive car scene. The model was known for a longer wheelbase and greater interior space. The only larger car at the time was Rolls Royce.

Saab 9000 serves as a great example of the highest point of the Swedish automotive industry. Customers weren’t exactly spoilt for choice when it comes to engines. Most were equipped with a standard 2.0L. But the model stood the test of time and proved its loyalty numerous times.

Toyota Land Cruiser

There is a popular joke among car enthusiasts around the world: if you want a vehicle for everything but paved roads, go for Toyota Land Cruiser. This truck is widely regarded as the best off-road vehicle outside of the US.

Its chassis is built like a tank and is able to withstand some of the roughest terrains known to man. There are plenty of engine varieties, but the 4.2L diesel is the most popular choice. Decades after its initial production, Toyota Land Cruiser has been used for UN missions across Africa’s inhospitable terrain.